Classic Poem

The : turke in Linen wrapps his head,
the persian his in lawne tooe,
the rushe w i th sables ffurres his cappe,
& change will not be drawen tooe.
the Spaynyards constant to his blocke,
the ffrench inconstant euer;
but of all ffelts tha t may be ffelt,
giue me the English beuer

The German loues his connye well,
the Irishman his shagg tooe;
the welch his Monmouth loues to weare,
& of the same will bragg tooe.
some loue the rough, & some the smooth,
some great, & other small thinge;
but oh, yo u r English Licorish man,
he loues to deale in all thinges!

The Rush drinkes Quash; Duche, lubickes beere,
& tha t is strong and mightye;
the Brittaine, he Metheglin Quaffes,
the Irish, Aqua vitae
the ffrench affects his orleance grape,
the spanyard tasts his sherrye;
the English none of these escapes,
but w i th them all makes merrye

The Italyan, in her hye shapines,
Scot[c]h lasse, & louely ffroe tooe;
the Spanish don-a, ffrench Madam,
he will not ffeare to goe too:
nothing soe ffull of hazards dread,
nought liues aboue the center,
noe health, noe ffashyon, wine, nor wench,
yo u r English dare not venter. "